Reflections, Respite & Re-emergence
Eleven years ago, Charlie and I packed up our lives into 14 bags, navigated a snowstorm in a cold UK winter, and moved ourselves, along with my two sons, to a then lesser known part of Mexico…Tulum.
I had lived very near Tulum ten years prior, when my eldest son Luca was only a baby during my times as a scuba instructor and underwater photographer so although the decision was bold, it was an area I knew well and felt drawn back to.
This was a Tulum that many still remember…the sleepy beach road with small palapa style hotels dotted along the dirt road, and plenty of gaps of untouched land, where everything stopped by 11 (or much earlier!) and the beach was so dark at night that if you did find yourself up late, the only thing to do was to marvel at the brightly lit night sky.
We spent these past eleven years in an intense growth and learning mode, packed with creative exploration as we were blessed to weave an idyllic and life-changing scene into the tapestry of our lives. We had not originally expected to birth Sanará, but the magical unfolding path of events and possibilities laid itself out for us to walk down and so we said ‘yes’ to all that transpired. This took us on an unexpected whirlwind ride of building a boutique hotel which won awards and accolades (including landing a surprise No. 3 on Harpers Bazaar’s Greatest Hotels in the World). the birthing of a restaurant brand which gained a global following, and which then spun off its own product range, and so much more. Interwoven with our Tulum base, we spent time living in Los Angeles, as we developed our US expansion. It may have looked like we were just playing out our days on a stunning beach, but we were always doing something, always creating, fixing, trying to do better…both in the micro aspects of those businesses, but with our macro focus on how these choices and projects would play into the bigger picture of the nurturing of humanity and our world.
Today's Tulum seems a world away from 2012, and even more far removed from how I knew it in 2001, yet its innate attraction still draws ever increasing numbers of tourists, and those seeking to settle for a time, or to make a home base in its mystical embrace. It does sadden us to have witnessed the massive growth and inevitable damage which has come with this, though we recognize that we were part of that development…and as much as we tried to tread sensitively, we were always going to make an impact, creating ripples which led others to feel drawn to create their own projects, just as we had done after experiencing what the pioneers before us had brought forth. Tulum will always pulse with an energy which attracts, just as many of the key places in our world which have grown to be hubs…there is an energetic reason why these areas grow, beyond just physical beauty, and those that are still finding Tulum will marvel at all the experiential wonders if offers, even if this looks very different to how many of us knew it.
We have always held an insightful intuition that Tulum was not somewhere to retire…its powerful historic and innate energy, coupled perhaps with the movement of water beneath within its underground rivers, evoke a constant sense of transformation and growth, both physically and felt by those living or staying for longer periods, as they experience their own dramatic shifts and awakenings.
And so, 2023 became the year that our own chapter of creation and growth on the backdrop of Tulum beach, came to its natural culmination, and a year of surrender into the unconditional faith of a new chapter. This was not something contrived or planned, but that became clear through the inevitabilities of a series of events through which we stayed present and flowed with trust, instead of painfully attempting to hold on to what no longer served us.
Transition
In June 2023 we began the transition of the physical beach space into the hands of its new stewards, our neighbors La Zebra and long time colleagues, the Colibri Hotel Group. We helped fuse many of our staff together with theirs and Colibri birthed a new fun brand for the Tulum beach, Lula Tulum, which will continue to provide a wonderful holiday option for you and wellness spaces serviced by our beloved Sanará practitioners. On November 17th, just as we often move on to new homes and spaces during the course of our lives, Sanará said farewell to its birthplace, and freed itself up to grow into its next stage of evolution, to exist both beyond the constraints of a physical space, and also to seek new opportunities for locations. The Real Coconut restaurants also closed their doors during this time, to take a well earned rest and reflect on possible next stage directions.
Respite & Reset
Unexpectedly during this period, Charlie experienced his own profound and challenging process of transformation. A dramatic revelation that his body was in crisis, even after years of healthy eating, and a clean lifestyle brought forth the recognition that the burden of stress, and perhaps over-responsibility can trump everything. With critically compromised kidneys attacked by an immune system out of control, Charlie was forced to stop and reflect on his own mortality and the process of existence which had led to this point. It was an intensely challenging time for both of us, yet it reinforced even further the translation and meaning of Sanará to us…’it will heal’, and the solace in the divine inevitability that all will heal, all will be as it is meant to be - however that may look. An outpouring of love and prayers was showered on both Charlie and I from our local and global community, and with the physical support of a Mexican medical team, Charlie stabilized and shocked the doctors by regaining enough kidney function to avoid a transplant.
We have now shifted our home base to the UK, not due to the growth of Tulum or the transition of Sanara, and certainly not because we felt we needed to leave… it was the natural culmination of a season in our lives, and we were intensely clear that we were being nudged into a new chapter where all that we had learnt and assimilated over the past period, could be focused. Charlie’s health wake-up also led us to assess how to best create a tranquil and nurturing environment where we could settle and create a foundation in the homeland where we were both born and raised…something that neither of us had fully embraced previously, with our youthful ambition to set out for new territories and experiences. Our hearts are still very much connected to Mexico and the Yucatan, and our 800 acre historic ranch land just outside of Valladolid continues to become clearer as to what it may develop into.
2024
After a much needed period of respite and reflection, 2024 is offering us the possibility of re-emergence with focus and fortitude as we explore permanent locations for Sanará in the UK, and in Europe, along with potential pop ups and retreats, and other ways of connecting. Our Sanará Fellowship Whatsapp groups, (with both local and global sub groups) continues to grow and we welcome all who would like to join us and connect in whichever way you may feel drawn to.
We also continue to use our understanding and skills to support the local and global impact projects which we are honored to be a part of. The intrinsic curiosity and optimistic nature that both Charlie and I carry, have led us to ask many ‘what if’ questions as we journeyed through our lives, both individually and collectively, and this refreshing period of shifts and reemergence is allowing us to be more available to input into, and support brilliance through our Influence Foundation.
From Sanara Tulum to the Sanara Way…
A year ago, before we had any idea of the transitions ahead, I felt the need to sit quietly with the philosophy of Sanará, beyond what it had come to exist as in the form of a hotel and lifestyle brand, and honor the deeper meaning that it represented for both Charlie and I, and those who had experienced it in various forms. I had wanted to ensure that whatever came forward in future, that we had a ‘true north’ to keep us on track, to guide us and keep us true to its divine energy, without compromise.
And so, this is what Sanará means to me, and is the mantra by which I strive to live, along with all decisions that we make related to its unfolding energy.
Embodying reverence and unconditional care, guiding the journey toward our ultimate healing.
We seek the salvation of Peace; the silent breath of divine Truth, rediscovered, weaving its golden thread of stillness, through lifetimes and realms, abiding immutable within our resolute hearts so that we may never be lost again.
‘In between the mountains, the valleys take a dip among the shadows, where the echoes of our dreams leave a trail of light to guide us through our darkest night.’
As we walk our path, the foundational principles of the Sanará Way nurture our souls and serve as the guidlng compass of our Being.
Reverence
Compassion & Love Unconditional
Humility & Respect
Trust in the Divine Unknown
Sanará Fellowship
Charlie and I connected first in 2009 when he came to London to speak as the founder of a large impact community that he had founded called “Humanity Unites Brilliance.” HUB as it was known was made up of thousands of like hearted and minded people who wanted to be better for themselves as well as “do good” by supporting the impact work that HUB was carrying out with non profit partners in Africa and around the world.
Our global adventures together started that year as I was able to bring CNN to Liberia for feature pieces on both the first female President in Africa, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, as well as the young humanitarian activist, Kimmie Weeks. Charlie and HUB had funded and co-founded the first Women’s Empowerment Center which has since gone on to support over 8,000 women to graduates in both LIberia and Sierra Leone.
Fifteen years later our work in Liberia with Kimmie, through Influence Foundation, has expanded and one day we would love to invite our Fellowship community to visit Hope Farm with us, where Kimmie is spearheading an amazing agriculture program, guided by our principles of multi cropping low impact crops such as plantain and cassava, utilizing organic compositing and little irrigation. Our intention is that Liberia shifts from a 100% import dependent country to one of feeding itself, its neighbors in Africa and then ultimately our world. Let us know if you would consider joining us on a trip.
Charlie will communicate a bit more about Sanará Fellowship here…
“In 2007 at an early gathering of people concerned about the well being of the planet who also were eager to be the best they could be, I said “We gather here as uncommon people yet with common heart for common purpose.” Even then I was seeing supply chains for food breakdown, I was seeing water being turned into a scarce commodity and I was witnessing mass movement of refugees during crisis moments. Yet at the same time we were dramatically reducing the price of land mine removal through new technologies, activating food to moved to those in need, generating clean water, helping with women’s enterprise and financial literacy, building schools and helping care for orphans caught up in the HIV epidemics. We knew first hand that 1+1 did not add up to just 2. When there was conscious co-commitment. infinite results were generated and sustained. The Holy Spirit mysteriously showed up constantly in the darkest of places.
Today time has ticked on, crisis issues around our world have been compounding and yet more and more of us are awake to this, asking questions and seeking to gather. My primary question now is what does it take for us to move beyond common purpose into common rhythm for the sake of humanity? How are we to interact together to create a sustaining outcome with peace within ourselves and across our earth? Living in Tulum for 11 years has been one of the most wonderful, magical, mysterious and timely blessings I could encounter for myself and to witness in Daniella and our family, but life for me is an “And” not an either/or and I always sensed that Tulum was forging us to go back dutifully with conviction into the world, and yet preparing each of us to be better prepared to walk not of the world. I have seen many practitioners, hoteliers, food mavens, eco warriors, even guests staying with us, being massively blessed by Tulum and even though they, like us, may have felt many challenges that forced them to live outside of their comfort zones, they were and are being prepared for “this or something better for their highest good.”
Sanará Fellowship is a global community made up of all of us for today, as perhaps members of a generation given the challenge of choosing the destiny of humanity. (I firmly believe the Planet heals tomorrow - it is us that is the issue and how we are choosing to respond to the issue IS the issue). You care, both in the giving and importantly the receiving of care. You are full of empathy and love. We know this of you. We have seen it in you. I know too that as I have been able to vulnerably open up to an ever increasing deeper capacity to care, God gives me the grace to glimpse what love is.
So we invite you to participate with us as you may wish as we go forward under the foundational principles which Daniella has laid out for us above. Your skills and talents and passions are vital for the sake of humanity and if we are all akin to The Lord of The Rings and its timeless tribe of all sorts, I believe your contribution is invaluable and can be sustained and enhanced ultimately within Fellowship. We are aware how the last scenes of Tolkien’s Fellowship epic played out between the light and the darkness. Much light and love always ❤️”
How we can connect…
Digitally
In 2024 we are utilizing Substack and WhatsApp for our digital communication and communities. Substack is ideal for articles, blogs, spoken word and newsletters as well as incorporating multi imaging incorporating audio and video messaging. It seems like a great platform to grow community as well as communicate Influence Foundation initiatives.
WhatsApp Community groups platform gives voice to our Sanará Fellowship who are able to dialog instantly, connecting within the relevance of the day. We have also commenced a regular Sunday message. Click here or use the QR code below to join the group .
Instagram - we will continue to post and DM through our IG accounts @sanara_sanctuaries, @charliestuartgay , and @daniellahunter
Live
Also in 2024, as we look for and develop locations for future Sanará hotels and residences, we are planning a number of Sanará gatherings and retreats in Europe, Tulum and other locations during the year. Regarding the USA we are waiting to see how things play out this election year and also where else we may be invited to participate.
Your ideas and questions…
All are welcome…
We look forward to connecting further with you and will share more updates soon.
With love and many blessings for this coming year,
Daniella & Charlie